Child Safety

Falls are the most common cause of playground injuries.
Injuries happen most often on the playground in September, when children are just starting or returning to school. Look for the following on your child’s playgrounds, at school and at home:

• Material under the play structure should be soft sand or pea gravel, rubber or wood chips. This material should extend 6 ft in all directions from the equipment.
• Grass is not considered a safe surface because it doesn’t do as good a job for cushioning falls.
• Clotheslines, skipping ropes and pet leashes are dangerous when tied to play equipment. Children can get tangled in them and choke.
• Long scarves and drawstrings should be removed from clothing before children use playground equipment.
• It is recommended that a 6 ft space surrounds play equipment. More is needed around swings and at the foot of a slide.
• Children should never wear helmets on playground equipment.
• Spaces in the equipment should be smaller than 9cm or larger than
23cm to prevent children’s heads from getting trapped in an opening.
• It is important to contact the owner of the playground to report unsafe conditions.
• Teach children to never jump from a moving swing.
Only one child at a time should use the slide, and stairs should always be used to climb back up.